The Truth About Right Now
I won’t pretend everything is easy right now. Financial struggles, the looming reality of bankruptcy, and uncertainty about what the future holds; these are real storms I’m walking through. Some days, the weight of it all feels heavy, like a dark cloud hanging low and refusing to lift.
But here’s the thing: even in the middle of this storm, my heart still dreams. I mean, big, vivid, and bold dreams, too. I still believe there’s more ahead. More purpose. More life. More faith-filled steps for me to take.
When Faith Meets Financial Reality
I’m sure it may seem crazy to some—to keep building, creating, and hoping when the ground beneath feels unstable. Some days I feel like I’m building a business with only hopes and prayers, but you know what? That’s exactly when miracles happen.
Faith is not about ignoring the storm or pretending the bills aren’t real. It’s about trusting the One who controls the storm while we navigate the very real waves crashing around us.
Isaiah 43:19 (AMP) reminds me:
“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
That promise is predicated on my not dwelling in the past and looking forward to what’s ahead. That promise is alive. Even when the old plans fall apart, God is doing something new. Something better. Something that I can’t yet see, but I’m learning to trust the process anyway. I’m learning to trust Him completely.
Stepping Out with Discipline
Before releasing my impending 21-Day Faith Steps Walking Journal to you, my ZFJ tribe, I’m walking it out myself first. Every day God has shown me something new. But the biggest lesson throughout it all? Discipline.
One day two weeks ago, the devotional’s scheduled walk was 35 minutes, but I felt so good in God’s presence that I walked 60 minutes instead. As a result, I ended up with painfully sore feet. The following day called for another 35-minute walk, and though I probably should have rested, I didn’t want to. I thought walking, but at a slower pace, would be a good idea, but guess what? It wasn’t. I walked for 65 minutes. That was not good! It meant I was forced to take the next two scheduled days off to recover.
I had to remind myself of the saying, “good things come to those who wait.”Those beautiful 60-minute walks with the Lord are coming, but there’s wisdom in gradually increasing the minutes so that you don’t overdo it. Pain can often be the result when we don’t follow the plan. Having discipline can keep us from experiencing disappointment and pain.
And here’s another important lesson that hit me: I need to make sure to implement that TLC (tender, loving care) right away when I need it.
I didn’t recognize (at first) that I needed to tend to my feet after I overdid it. It wasn’t until the second day that I even thought to ice, elevate, and add magnesium soaks for proper recovery.
All of this reminded me that discipline isn’t just about showing up; it’s about showing up wisely, trusting the process even when we feel like we could do more, and knowing how to care for ourselves when we need recovery.
The irony? Trying to rush ahead actually made my journey more difficult. It can also take more time to get where you want to go when you don’t exercise the discipline and patience to stick to the plan.
Trusting God Beyond What We See
The same is true for building dreams in uncertain times. There’s a reason for the gradual increase, the steady rhythm, the one-step-at-a-time approach. It keeps us from doing too much too fast and burning out.
Even when progress feels slow, I have to trust God more than I trust what I’m seeing. It may be a long time before the dream comes true. But, do I stop pursuing the dream because I don’t see any progress, or do I believe what God told me? I get to choose! Even if my dream doesn’t come true, I choose to trust the Lord. Why? Because whatever He has will be something better than the dream I have for myself.
As Myron Golden, renowned business strategist, pastor, and Bible teacher, says, that’s what faith is: believing God’s promises more than you believe what you see. That’s what Hebrews 11:1 tells us, right? “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.”
We’re choosing faith over fear together, trusting His timing over our urgency. We’re proving that faith isn’t about what we see; it’s about Who we trust.
Dreams Don’t Die, They Just Wait
Even in the middle of a storm, I’m still dreaming, still writing, still building Zanele’s Faith Journeys — one blog post, one piece of merchandise, one conversation at a time.
It’s not about rushing the journey but trusting it. It’s walking forward with courage when the way is unclear, anchored in the truth that our dreams aren’t dead — they’re planted.
And in God’s perfect timing, in their season, they will bloom.
God’s Plans Don’t Change With Our Circumstances
Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP) says:
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Hold onto that. Hold onto Jesus. Even when your bank account says otherwise. Even when people question your choices. Even when you question them yourself.
Psalm 46:1 (AMP) calls Him “our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.”
Lean into seeking God’s refuge today. Let Him be your strength when yours feels nonexistent.
Permission to Be Real
You don’t have to pretend you have it all together. I sure don’t-not anymore. You don’t have to fake a smile through every struggle or quote scripture to mask genuine pain. Stop pretending. You just have to keep holding onto hope and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
God isn’t looking for perfect faith. He’s looking for persistent faith. The kind that shows up even on the hard days.
A Prayer for All of Us in the Storm
So here’s my prayer for you—and for me: May we have the courage to dream big, even in the hardest seasons. May we trust the process and know that our best chapters are still unfolding. May we be brave enough to pursue our dreams, faithful enough to trust the process, and kind enough to help another woman along the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen!!!
A Personal Reflection and Your Journey
Zanele’s Faith Journeys. This is my faith journey. The key is: FAITH. It will unlock doors when I believe God’s promises more than what I see.
Journal Prompts:
- What promises has God given you that you need to believe more than what you currently see?
- Where in your life do you need to exercise more discipline and trust the process, even when you feel ready to rush ahead?
- What doors might faith unlock for you when you choose to believe God’s word over your current circumstances?
If this message speaks to your heart, I invite you to join me here at Zanele’s Faith Journeys—where women over 50 walk boldly by faith, encouraging one another and boldly pursuing all that God has prepared for them.
What dreams are you still holding onto, even in your storm? Share with me in the comments or reach out—I’d love to hear your story and cheer you on.
No matter the storms, life is a faith journey. Keep walking boldly toward all God has in store for you.
